The fecal leukocyte test identifies the presence of lactoferrin, a marker
for fecal leukocytes. This test is more sensitive than microscopy for
identifying leukocytes and discriminates between inflammatory and non-inflammatory
bowel processes.
Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, and bacterial or
parasitic infection will result in a positive result. Patients who have
diarrhea on the basis of IBS, virus, and noninvasive parasites will have
a negative result.80
Macroscopic Observations
The color of feces provides important insight into various conditions.
- Light-brown to brown is normal
- Yellow or green suggests diarrhea or a bowel sterilized by antibiotics
- Black usually is the result of upper GI tract bleeding
- Tan or gray suggests blockage of the common bile duct, pancreatic insufficiency
(greasy stool) or steatorrhea
- Red may be the result of lower tract bleeding
The presence of mucus or pus can indicate irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal
wall inflammation (caused by infection—typhoid, Shigella or amoebic),
diverticulitis or other intestinal abscess. Absence of mucus and pus is
normal.
The CDSA also includes an occult blood test, which is a monoclonal antibody
test that is highly specific for intact human hemoglobin. A positive result
indicates blood loss from a lower GI source and warrants further imaging
investigation.
Dysbiosis Risk Index
Intestinal dysbiosis is marked by many indicators. For our Dysbiosis
Risk Index, relevant results are weighed and an index is calculated to
provide a quick assessment of the patient’s GI tract in terms of flora
imbalance. Factors used to determine the index include digestive, absorptive,
metabolic, and microbiological markers.
The CDSA’s battery of integrated tests evaluates digestion, colonic
environmentand absorption. It enables therapeutic intervention based not
only on single test results, but also on patterns and relationships.
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